[chicolom]

Quote:

 
If the output impedance is 10 Ohms then it still does not explain the low power output into low impedance headphones.
The Matrix has an output impedance of either 5 or 10 ohms depending on what spec sheet you use. Perhaps they revised it somewhere along the way.
 
Based on the photos I have seen the amp design is the same as it was 6 months ago (pre USB input).
They did add some much needed cooling vents to the side.

 
 

 
Going off matrix-digi.com, which should be the official page, output impedance is 5 ohms:
 
 
Technical Specifications Technical Details
Input impedance: 47 KOhms
Frequency response: 10Hz (-0.3dB) to 35 kHz (-1dB)
SNR:> 95dB at 0dB gain
Distortion: <0.001% at 6mW/300 Ohms
Output power: 200mW/300 Ohms, 400mW/60 Ohms
Output impedance: line out 60 Ohms, phones out 5 Ohms
 
 

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

 

•  
•   Anyone have the power output of the M Stage at 600ohms? Trying to get a baseline...
  E9 is 80mw at 600ohm
  HDP is 96mw at 600ohm
  C-2.2 is 200mw at 600ohm
  Still looking for Asgard and M Stage specs.
  Edit: The M Stage pushes 100mw@600ohms it seems.
  Guess I will end up with the Audio GD C-2.2. I just REALLY don't wanna order it, lol.

+1 for the M Stage driving DT880 600 Ohm 'phones
in addition, I have a pair of archaic 2,000 Ohm Sennheiser HD424s,  the M Stage has no problem driving those either.
I don't listen at really high volumes.
 
Quote:

My C2.1 worked wonderfully with my recently gone

 DT-880-600 ohms , and C2.1 is better than M-stage with the same opamp ( at the time compared it with my K702) .

The C-2.1 doesn't seem to use the Op-Amp to drive the headphones, judging by their website
The Matrix uses a discrete transistor buffer between the Op-Amp and the headphone jack
 
I'm going to have to try some Audio GD stuff this year.......................

 

 

[HaVoC-28]

Quote:

The C-2.1 doesn't seem to use the Op-Amp to drive the headphones, judging by their website
The Matrix uses a discrete transistor buffer between the Op-Amp and the headphone jack
 
I'm going to have to try some Audio GD stuff this year.......................

 

 
C2 , C2.1 , C2.2 , have two mods RCA and ACSS , in ACSS no OP-AMP , and only work with Audio GD DAC with ACSS , in RCA mode it use : OPA604 stock , exactly for what i don't know ^^ , final buffer peraphs .
 
Coloration / tonaly  with opa moon on both unite ==> very similar one , but on C2.1 it was more refined ^^ , detail  /transparancy / clarity .  With both you could really taste the OPA moon flavor , so i guess that it's used has final buffer in both but i can be totaly wrong , i am not a tech 

 

[Mad Max]

 
Quote:

 
...
The C-2.1 doesn't seem to use the Op-Amp to drive the headphones, judging by their website
The Matrix uses a discrete transistor buffer between the Op-Amp and the headphone jack
...

Both use a diamond output buffer.  The C2 additionally has the ACSS tech before the buffer.

 

[project86]

Quote:

Well it's been a while I've heard the M-Stage and I don't use the DAC in my X-CANV8P anymore but I thought it sounded similar. I'll have to give it a try again.
 
 

I thought the USB version of M-Stage just came out. When did you hear it? Maybe it has been around longer than I thought.

 

[EinZweiDrei]

how well does the m stage drive the k701s anyway?

 

[Guess?]

Quote:

I thought the USB version of M-Stage just came out. When did you hear it? Maybe it has been around longer than I thought.

 
Saw it about two months ago on coolfungadget's website, the certificates are dated 13 October 2011. Mine is on the way now.

 

[Zombie_X]

I heard it about 3-4 months back. I thought the USB was OK but nothing special. Though as I said it's been a while so my memory may be playing tricks on me.
 
Quote:

I thought the USB version of M-Stage just came out. When did you hear it? Maybe it has been around longer than I thought.

 

 

[project86]

Ok I get it. I'm just late to the party! I thought it just came out in the last month. 

 

[Guess?]

Quote:

Ok I get it. I'm just late to the party! I thought it just came out in the last month. 

John, you were the first to the party =), look at your thread - 163 pages so far.

 

[fishbulb95]

Waiting for mine to arrive, flying across the Pacific at the moment.  I ordered through Amazon since I had a few gift cards to spend.   Since I am in the US, I was concerned whether they would include the proper power supply 110-120V compared to 220-240V (Tam Audio will let you choose).  There was no option to choose, the Amazon store description stated (110-120V or 220-240V).  So I sent a message and received a reply in 2-3 hours, saying they will include the 110-120V version. 

 (Awesome Service!!)
 
 
I am currently using the AKG Q701 paired with a Hifiman EF2A (Stock Tubes).  I'm really hoping this amp will make a difference in quality, larger soundstage, clear highs, fuller sound.  I'm liking the headphones, but I'm currently eyeballing the DT990 600 ohm.  Although from what I've read this amp pairs nicely with the x70x series, so it may just feel like a new headphone to me. 

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

Waiting for mine to arrive, flying across the Pacific at the moment.  I ordered through Amazon since I had a few gift cards to spend.   Since I am in the US, I was concerned whether they would include the proper power supply 110-120V compared to 220-240V (Tam Audio will let you choose).  There was no option to choose, the Amazon store description stated (110-120V or 220-240V).  So I sent a message and received a reply in 2-3 hours, saying they will include the 110-120V version. 

 (Awesome Service!!)
 
 
I am currently using the AKG Q701 paired with a Hifiman EF2A (Stock Tubes).  I'm really hoping this amp will make a difference in quality, larger soundstage, clear highs, fuller sound.  I'm liking the headphones, but I'm currently eyeballing the DT990 600 ohm.  Although from what I've read this amp pairs nicely with the x70x series, so it may just feel like a new headphone to me. 

We would love to hear your impressions of the EF2A vs. Matrix M Stage!
I have a pair of Q701 and DT880/600 Ohm.
I find that the neutrality of the DT880 is a nice compliment to the Q701s.
When I bought my DT880s I compared them to DT990s, frankly I had a very hard time choosing between the two!
 

 

[Mitroche]

Hi,
 
I have an AKG K701 and actually hesitating between M-Stage and Lovely cube.
Do you have an idea of which one will sound the best without making any mods except changing the OpAmp ?
 
Thanks a lot for your answers.

 

[qib]

Getting ready to change the opamps on mine. It could be helpful if someone detailed all the mods that could be made on this amp in one page or thread as have been done in the older days of head-fi. Anyone with the expertise willing to do that? Those new to the m-stage would forever be indebted to you!

 

[kyoshiro]

would installing http://bursonaudio.com/burson_opamp.htm into the matrix m-stage be overkill? lol